The impacts on islanders’ livelihoods due to ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian brings continued financial and emotional strain as the holiday season approaches. FISH OF SANCAP wants to ease that strain by providing Thanksgiving Food Baskets to island residents and the workforce.  “The traditional holiday dinner we supply will hopefully bring a sense of normalcy to what has been a very abnormal 12+ months.”

Thanksgiving, a day of gratitude often shared by family and friends, may look and feel a bit different for the second consecutive holiday due to the disaster.  Many survivors continue to rebuild and repair and may not be planning a traditional festive dinner. By distributing bags of stuffing, rolls, fresh and canned vegetables, pies and a gift card to purchase a turkey or other holiday protein, FISH wants to change that.

“For many that receive a basket, particularly our senior population, the realization that our organization, volunteers and community members care about them is almost secondary to the food we provide.  It’s heartbreaking to learn that our neighbors will be alone or struggling for the holiday.  With support and donations from the community, FISH can provide a Thanksgiving Day festive meal for many that we serve,” continues Espinoza.

 

FISH supporters are already dropping off donations and financial contributions to support the holiday basket.  FISH is currently accepting Thanksgiving food donations through Nov. 15 at the FISH food pantry, 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Community partner Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is holding a drive through the end of October and Doc Ford’s will begin a drive Nov. 1-15. Items in need include canned fruits and vegetables and side dishes such as stuffing, rice, gravy, cranberries (canned), etc.

Last year, because the Thanksgiving holiday was on the heels of Ian’s landfall, the FISH meal basket offering included a pre-cooked meal. This year, as many once again have cooking and heating sources, the organization is returning to their traditional holiday basket. Basket distribution will take place at FISH on Sanibel until 3pm on Mon., Nov. 20 and Tues., Nov. 21, with last minute pickup available until noon on Wed., Nov. 22.

 

“We are pleased that we can provide this program to those needing assistance during the holidays.  With such uncertainty in the air, it warms my heart to know that we can help,” says Espinoza.

 

If you or a family you know is in need of a Thanksgiving Holiday Food Basket, please contact Merari at FISH at 239-472-4775 or [email protected]. To learn more about FISH, please visit their website and social media pages to see firsthand how the agency works to better the community and particularly their response to the Ian disaster. To learn more about hurricane recovery and other services of FISH, please contact Maria Espinoza, Executive Director, at (239) 472-4775.

 

Photo:

Thanksgiving meal basket

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About FISH: 

 

FISH of Sanibel-Captiva has been a ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ organization on Sanibel and Captiva for over 40 years. As a social service organization, FISH has been ground zero, in recent years, from natural and environmental crises to the impacts of COVID and now, for catastrophic Hurricane Ian. FISH offers something for everyone—if there is not a service in place for unmet needs of community members, they work to meet it through their expansive regional network. In addition to their Long-Term Recovery program, FISH continues to offer programs representing their four major pillars – Food, Island Based Education, Social and Senior Services, and Helping Hands.

Although FISH has grown from the grassroots organization it started as, it still remains a network of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’; a group of community members committed to the betterment of the islands and southwest Florida community by assisting one neighbor at a time. FISH is proud to say that 93 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services including but not limited to:

  • Long-Term disaster recovery
  • Emergency financial assistance 
  • Food pantry 
  • Non-emergency transport 
  • Temporary loan of health equipment 
  • Hurricane preparedness information 
  • Daily hot meals program

 

More information about FISH is available online at fishofsancap.org, as well as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). For details about hurricane recovery and other services, contact Maria Espinoza, FISH Executive Director, at (239) 472-4775.